Lindley's father, a Quaker, had fled the United States during the Revolution
so Lindley was born in Nova Scotia. Apparently it was a fairly rugged
life. He was named for Lindley Murray, a
celebrated grammarian and wealthy merchant of New York who "befriended Samuel
Moore in the difficulties growing out of the war." (1) The family returned to New Jersey
in 1810. (2) Lindley was already a teacher at Nine Partners when Adam and Anne Mott
moved there in 1811. He and Abigail became engaged when she was 17 and he an
assistant teacher at the school. His letter to Abby in 1812 shows that he
was very much in love and the match was not arranged. (3) The pay was not good so they moved to Rahway, NJ
where they opened a Quaker School. Their son Edward Mott Moore was
born there in 1814. In 1815 they moved to New York City to take charge of the
Monthly Meeting School of Friends on Pearl Street. Lindley and Abigail
made their home with her parents, Adam and Anne Mott, on Lombardy Street.
However in 1817 they rented a house on Chrystie Street. He had been
earning $1,200 a year but in 1820 times were tough and his salary was reduced.
Lindley decided to give up the school and move to Flushing and opened a boarding
school for boys in 1820. "Seven years later he bought five acres of land
in Westchester Village, on the road to New York, about opposite the Friends
Meeting house, and removed his school to this place in the Spring of 1828.
Here also he prospered, and his residence here is several times referred to in
family letters. But he had laid up money and was beginning to think of
retiring from the arduous labors of a school to the tranquility of a farm.
A visit that he and his wife made at Rochester confirmed him in this desire, and
after considerable inquiry and negotiation he purchased, in 1829, the farm of
170 acres then occupied by Erastus Spalding for $5,200. The farm was
beautifully situated, on high ground, on what was alter know as Lake Avenue in
the City of Rochester, being the direct road from the City to lake Ontario, at
the mouth of the Genesee River." (1) In 1831 he built a "two story house in the Greek revival style."
(Later the house became a convent for the Sisters of Nazareth Academy.)
For more information about their early married life and photos of their home,
see page for Abigail Mott Moore

Not a lot is known about his relationship with his parents and siblings but
there are definite indications that he cared about them. For starters,
Lindley's oldest son Edward, was named after his brother. He also visited
Canada to visit his family several times. In 1819 James Mott Sr, Abigail's
grandfather, mentions that Lindley is going to Canada and hopes that he will
visit him on his way back. (4) Lindley's father Samuel died in
September 1822 and left him 200 acres in Norwich, Ontario which shows that the
affection went two ways. By 1834 we know that Lindley was a naturalized US
citizen. (5) In 1838 he traveled to Canada to intercede with the
authorities on behalf of his brothers, Enoch and John, who were being tried for
treason. After being held for sometime both were pardoned. Both John and
another brother, Samuel, visited Lindley in the United States. Samuel as
early as 1812. Later on Samuel moved from Canada to the United States
permanently. When John was released from prison in 1838 he spent a couple
of months in the United States with his brothers, Lindley in New York, and
Joseph in Ohio. John returned to Canada and died there in 1850 (for more
information - see pages for John Moore and
Samuel Moore, Lindley's brothers.)

There is not much doubt that Lindley was a devout Quaker. In a letter
to his son Edward written in June 1834 he wrote, ". But I hope thou wilt not let
a few scientific pursuits prevent the acquisition of general information. But
there is another reason to rend thy residence at Troy for so long a time,
particularly unpleasant; I mean the seclusion from Society of Friends. I hope my
dear son, whether thy stay is long or short thou wilt be particular in thy
observance of the peculiarities of our Society. A consistent Quaker is always
respected. I have no objection to thy going the round of the different meetings
at Troy, but as they are all so different in their code of Worship from Friends
& generally so outward in their ideas of thought, I should be glad of those
converts have the privilege of remaining in they chambers on the 1st day of the
week & devote they attention to the readings & study of the bible. An
intelligent Quaker stands deservedly high in the estimation of sensible & well
bred people, but an ignorant one very low." (6) In another letter to his
son Edward after Edward had married in 1847, he says, "I want to hear from my
new daughter as well as thyself. As little as I saw of her, I can truly say that
I love her as a daughter." (7) This is striking because Lucy Prescott was
an Episcopalian and remained so for the rest of her life. Normally
marrying outside of their faith was frowned upon by Quakers and called for
dismissal from the church. Lindley was also referred to in a history of
the University of Rochester as being pretty tolerant of secular education. The
Rochester site says, "In much the same vein, the Quaker Lindley M. Moore,
apparently an early advocate of the idea of higher education in Rochester,
dismissed as groundless the alarm of Church over the sectarian serpent. Besides
the collegiate department, the university, he pointed out, would furnish
training in medicine, law, and area theology, and only in the last area could
sectarianism manifest itself. Even that danger would be nullified, Moore
reasoned, if each Protestant denomination endowed a theological professorship to
furnish instruction in keeping with its own convictions. 'It is greatly to be
desired that no unnecessary fears, or illiberal views frustrate or jeopardize
the success of the great and noble enterprise,' he concluded. " (8) Also,
most Quakers were strongly against slavery, and Lindley was no exception.
In 1838 he helped form the Rochester Anti-Slavery Society and became its first
president. (9)

It isn't often that you get an insight into an ancestor's character, but in
Lindley's case, we have a few clues. In the following letter he teases his
wife Abby who loves to get letters from their son, Edward. Abby was
writing to Edward. "Thy father went to Rochester this afternoon, and when
he returned, he asked me who I would rather have a letter of all my friends I
immediately replied “Edward” and he handed me them." (10) In another
letter from Abby to Edward in 1834 she refers to suit brought against Lindley.
He was being sued for not paying a tax on a cow that he owned. He refused
to pay the tax because it was being levied against the inhabitants of the ward
to built a school which originally was not supposed to cost a penny! He
was having none of that! In fact he was "willing to take the lead & settle the
principle, for there are a number of poor people who are unable to sustain the
expense of a suit." (11)

In a history of Haverford College of which he had been principal from
1848-1850, he is remembered as genial and fine old man. There is a
humorous account of his disciplinary methods as seen below. (12)

His strong character served him well. He had an eventful but difficult
life. Although he was a teacher for most of his life, he seemed to want
more. As a young man he devoted all of his time to teaching. First
at Nine Partners where he met Abby, then at Rahway, and after that at New York
City. He always taught at Quaker schools. In 1830 he became a farmer
in Rochester. At first he did well, but by 1836 when President Jackson
abolished the Second National Bank and caused the recession, times became
difficult. In her letters to Edward, Abby often refers to their financial
difficulties. When he really needed money he would teach at a school in
Rochester where his children and Lindley also taught but it did not pay very
much. (13) He also had the misfortune of cosigning a note for his
son, Gilbert, in a business venture, and when that went sour, his financial
difficulties only got worse. (See page for Gilbert
Moore.)

The years 1844 to 1846 were terrible. Mary, his nineteen year old daughter,
died in December, 1844; Abby his wife died in April 1846 and Murray his
twenty-five year old son died in December 1846. All died of consumption
(tuberculosis). Lindley then became a full time teacher at a Quaker school
in Providence Rhode Island and then became the principal of Haverford College
from 1848-1850. While at Haverford, Lindley wrote to his son Edward on
June 30, 1850, "Do write to Ann. It does her good to have a letter from
thee. You two are the only ones of 9 children that are left, on what
affection I rely. We must keep up that affectionate intercourse which is the
sweetener of human life." (14)

Lindley retired from Haverford in 1850 and then went to live with his son
Edward until Lindley died in 1871. Judging from the few letters from that
period, Lindley must have led a contented life with his son and his
grandchildren. He also must have continued dabbling with his farm at Sandy
Creek in Rochester since in his will he leaves an interest in the Sandy Creek
farm to his son Edward.

Sources:

(1) Adam and Anne Mott by Thomas C. Cornell, 1890.

"The only traditions that have reached me of the farm life in Nova
Scotia are that it was a rugged one. In illustration, it was said to be
the custom, when the women as well as the men worked in the summer hay
fields, to take the children into the fields with them; and the baby was
provided with a piece of pork, tied by a strong cord to its own foot, in
order that if the child, when left alone should choke itself with the
port, its snuggles would remove the difficulty." pg 82 and
83

Shortly after
thee receipt of thine, I replied to it, my letter was directed
immediately to thee, but whether it ever reached thee or not, I am not
able to say, not having heard from Nine Partners since. The distance of
this place from your school is so considerable that it is almost
impossible to hear a whisper from you except by letter, and this mode of
conveyance has not always proved certain, which possibly has been the
case with the note which I last addressed to thee. Whether so or not
thou wilst please excuse this early inquiry being it well timed, anxious
to hear from thee, the object of my dearest regards - thou wilt
therefore much oblige me by giving a line soon after this reaches thee.
I impatiently wait for the time to come when it will be convenient
for me to leave my school long enough to make a visit to Nine Partners.
If consonant to the visit of my employment, I intend to have a few days
vacation at the end of my present quarter for that purpose & tho they
are anxious for the improvement of their children, they will not, I
presume object to a request so reasonable as this. If they only knew how
worthy a female it is my intention of visiting in the interim, certainly
they would not. But this I must leave to their own conjecture, to gather
from the reports which are current even here. I frequently hear that I
am to be married, but more of them undertake to tell me to whom. All
that they tell me is that I must certainly bring her to Bridge Town to
live. How will that do? My employment is such as necessarily subject
me to a good deal of dependence and consequently confinement. We indeed
can find but few useful occupations that are in some degree in this
description. But according to the present gloomy appearance of the world
mine is as good an employment as most at least. I intend to content
myself for the time being.I hope thou find this that the fatigue of
thy business as a teacher is not too much for thee and that it is on all
accounts a pleasant one. My school continues as usual quite agreeable. I
have not I think been at any place where the task of a teacher is more
pleasant than where I now am. I expect to go to New York tomorrow
with my brother Samuel who is now at this place and intends returning
immediately to Nova Scotia to make but a temporary stay to transact some
unsettled business in that country. I have not been to N York since I
last saw thee. With wishes for all the happiness of your family
generally in their arduous employment and of thine in particular, I am
thy friend affectionately. Lindley M Moore

(4) Adam and Anne Mott, by Thomas C. Cornell, pg 112
Letter from James Mott, Senior to Adam and Anne Mott 8 mo 13, 1819“We, a few
weeks ago, had a visit from J. Everingham and A. U. Mott. They informed us that
Lindley M Moore called on them a few days before, on his way to Canada. I hope
he will want to see us enough to take Skaneateles on his way home, and see
whether he will not like the lake, and the good land around it, as well as
Canada.

(5) Letter from Abigail Mott Moore to Edward Mott Moore, 5th mo 1st 1834.
Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward Mott Moore Papers.
"Well, Rochester is a city and its respective officers are appointed - the
Jacksons 'carried the day in every word,' the total majority 24%, old Lunt
challenged thy father's vote, and he was obliged to affirm that he had become
naturalized."

(6) Letter from Lindley and Abigail Moore to Edward Mott Moore, 6th mo 22nd,
1834. Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward Mott
Moore Papers.

(7) Letter from Lindley Murray Moore to Edward Mott Moore, 11th mo 21st,
1847. Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward Mott
Moore Papers.

(10) Letter from Lindley and Abigail Moore to Edward Mott Moore, 5th mo, 5th,
1834. Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward
Mott Moore Papers.

(11) Letter from Abigail and Lindley Moore to Edward Mott Moore, 5th mo 5th,
1834. Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward Mott
Moore Papers.

"Thou probably recollects that it was promised and advertised last fall that
the school at the corners should be a free school - thou also remembers Met -
the new trustee appointed Dr Hall as collector for the old school - bill, well,
they also authorized him to collect the bills for the present winter and made
our a bill of 70$ - rather a singular free school. - Dixon’s children went a
part of the time - Thomas 8 weeks and Ann 5 weeks and now Dixons bill is $2.75
there are many others quite as much out of the way as that, some and indeed most
of them say they will not pay it. (Handwriting changes to Lindley’s) Mother has
not told thee how I am circumstanced in this whole business at the Landing. It
seems they have made out a tax of eight dollars for wood, which thou mayst
recollect was not voted by the district, but 3 dollars for repairs were voted.
They added the 3 dolls voted by the district to the 8 dolls laid by themselves
contrary to law, making 11 dolls and of this 11 dolls they taxed me $2.40 -
this, I suppose, was to revenge me for telling Avery & his crew so many plain &
home things on Sabbath schools, etc. Dr Hall called on me to know what I would
do as he was under the necessity of making returns within 30 days. I told him I
should not submit to injustice & therefore would not pay it until I was obliged
to do so. He accordingly levied on a two year old heifer yesterday, and I went
to Rochester in the afternoon and got out a summons for Avery, Gidding & Peter.
I am to have a hearing before Justice Alexander the 16th inst. I understand the
whole district nearly refuse to pay their school bills. I thought I was willing
to take the lead & settle the principle, for there are a number of poor people
who are unable to sustain the expense of a suit. We will inform thee of the
result when it is decided."

Letter from Abigail Mott Moore to Edward Mott Moore, 5th mo , 1st, 1834.
Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward Mott Moore Papers.
"In my last I told thee something respecting a law suit which was then pending
between thy father and our trustees, and believe they had got as far as to meet
and adjourn to the next week. Well accordingly they met on the following 7th day
- the trustees with a new lawyer, they demanded a jury trial, which the
Justice was obliged to grant - and accordingly sent out a young constable to
summon 6 men to act on the occasion, which was soon accomplished, Lunt and 3
more of the same stamp, and fortunately for thy father the other 2 were honest
men - they received their discharge from the Justice, and retired to the room
allotted for them, the respective parties remained in and about the office to
hear the discussion until 9 oclock, when thy father came home quite
disheartened, knowing that the majority was against him, and fearing that the
others two would hardly be willing to sit there until 12 oclock at night (as the
next day was first day) but contrary to his expectations, they were honest
enough to stick to them until 12 oclock and then they reported that they could
not agree, of course a new trial must take place - the 3rd day following they
came together again - the trustees with the third Lawyer, who took up most of
the afternoon in attempting to ridicule the motive which actuated thy father in
entering this suit, as a specimen of his eloquence & argumentative powers, mark
the following sentences - “If I was as rich as Mr Moore I would not be seen
engaged in such a petty suit as this, just because he had a cow levied upon -
because Dr Hall happened to go in his field and scare one of his cows” And then
by way of excuse for him, for giving them (the lawyers) so much trouble he said
“ I always admired the character of the Friends they are so pacific in their
turn - seldom going to law with their neighbors and never seeking occasion for
strife - but Mr Moore appears to be so ignorant of the rules and regulations of
the Society that I suppose he was brought up, and has lived most of his life
away one side, and has not associated but little with the society” - This is
sufficient to show thee the character Bishop’s (father’s lawyer) antagonist. His
manner fully corresponded with his ideas - he stood with one foot, a part of the
time, on the stove without a coat, - and his pantaloons needed a few stitches to
make them decent - After he had got through - Bishop arose and made some
suitable remarks on the occasion, and the jury returned - but soon returned with
judgment against the trustees. Those of our neighbors who are favorable to good
order rejoice greatly that Avery has for once been made to bow, there is another
suit coming on in a few days."

(12) A history of Haverford College for the first sixty years of
its existence. Porter & Coates, 1892 pg
187-8

"Those who have known will lovingly remember this
genial gentleman. (Lindley M Moore) His scholars will not soon forget
his kindly ways, nor his friendship for Horace Greeley and the
principles of the Free Soil Party, nor the sonorous tones with which he
repeated the verses of Milton and other English poets, although an
amused smile may suffuse their faces when they recollect how he
discouraged their efforts at smoking tobacco, while hiding his own, or
when they revert to some of his eccentric methods, more appropriate to
the boarding-school than to the college.
He had a way of affixing to each offence a letter which designated it,
as " n," for "negligent," etc., and at the morning collection would read
out the names of offenders, each with his appropriate letter. One
morning he determined to make an impression on a
boy notorious for his laziness, and called out "John t," which
was an unfamiliar letter in this vocabulary. All eyes were, of course,
turned upon John, wondering what heinous crime he had been guilty of,
when Friend Moore announced in stentorian
tones that " t" stood for " tardy," making it the text for a lecture to
the offender which he did not soon forget. The fact that it was the
custom of "Super," as the boys irreverently called him, to wander about
the corridors of Founders' Hall after bedtime, in slippered feet, did
not deter the students from many a roguish escapade, visiting each
other's rooms, tying toes to bedposts, and flitting like sheeted ghosts
from place to place between his rounds. On one occasion, he had
sentenced a boy to incarceration, during study hours, in one of the
class-rooms on the first floor, from which there was a descent of,
perhaps, ten feet to the area below. During the morning Friend
Moore was walking around the house, and
caught his prisoner in the act of climbing down and attempting to
escape. Confronting the delinquent, he repeated the lines from Virgil—

and required him to perform the more difficult feat of
climbing back into the window. But these incidents only gave spice to
Haverford life. And it perhaps was well
that Haverford reopened under the
attractive influence of this fine old man."

"How dost thou feel about father’s engaging another year in the High
School, devoting his whole time and talents for a salary of $600 or at most $700
a year, and what is most trying to me is his being prevented from attending
meetings of any description except on first days, of course, he of no use in
society matters, and where that is the case we soon loose our interest in these
things. This view of the subject is a source of no small anxiety to me; I had
much rather see him a plain simple farmer than a gentleman teaching under such
circumstances. He has two months more to keep before his year is up, and what he
is to do for an assistant during that time he knows not." Later in the
letter she is writing about the legal battles. " ---- at present it
is a heavy draw upon thy father with all this other difficulties and I assume
but from that it will prove a heavy loss to us. With regard to ourselves, I
think I should prefer going on the little farm to any other movement which we
can make at present, but this does not suit thy father "

(14) Letter from Lindley Murray Moore to Edward Mott Moore, June 30, 1850.
Letter on file at the University of Rochester with the Edward Mott Moore Papers.

Will page 1

Will page 2

Will page 3

Will of Lindley M Moore

"I Lindley M Moor of the City of Rochester, Do make, publish & declare this,
my last will & testament, in manner following, that is to say

First, I give & devise & bequeath to my son Edward M. Moore
a note for five hundred dollars given by him to me, being the only note given by
him to me.

Second. I give & devise & bequeath to my daughter Ann M Haines a note
for sixteen hundred & fifty dollars, being the only note given by Emmor Haines
to me.

Fourth. I give, devise & bequeath to my son Edward M Moor my interest
in the Sandy Creek Farm in the town of Hamlin, Monroe Co. State of New York.

Fifth. I give and divisive & bequeath to my grandson Walter C. Moore
the sum of one hundred dollars. Also to my grandson Edward D. Moore the
like sum of one hundred dollars. Also to my grandson Crowell Murray Moore
the sum of one hundred dollars.

Sixth. I give and devise and bequeath the remainder of my personal
property to be equally divided between my son Edward M Moore & my daughter Ann
M. Haines.

Eight. I hereby nominated and appoint my son Edward m Moore and my son
in law Emmor Haines the executor this my last will and testament, hereby
revoking all former wills made by me.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal this twelfth day of
August one thousand eight hundred and seventy one."

He died five days later.

___

A History of Haverford College for the First Sixty Years of its Existence,
1892

"The Committee on the Reorganization of the School -- called a special
meeting of the board 2nd month 15th, 1848, and recommended Lindley Murray Moore
for Principal and Teacher of English Literature. -- He was then at the close of
his sixtieth year. He was a portly man of commanding height and mien, of
benevolent countenance and expressive features. -- His surviving daughter,
Ann M. Haines, says of him: 'He was a Friend by birth and conviction, a great
lover of the bible, and very familiar with it. He rarely failed to give
chapter and verse to any one who asked where to find Scripture passages; he was
nevertheless, untinged by sectarianism, and always took a strong interest in
everything that would advance the cause of Christ in every denomination.'
He had married Abigail L Mott (the niece of Richard Mott, the well-known Friend
and minister), 8th month 19th, 1813, and after a married life of thirty-five
years had been parted from her by death about eighteen months before taking
charge of Haverford.

Lindley Murray Moore's experience as an educator had been wide and varied.
At seventeen an accident confined him for some months to the house. During
this enforced quiet he developed a strong love for study, and was sent to school
at Sandwich, Mass. By teaching he here helped himself to pay for further
study for a few years. He afterward taught at Nine Partners
Boarding-School, of New York Yearly Meeting. He next kept his own private
school in Rahway, N.J., for three years. From thence he went to New York
to take charge of the Friends' Monthly Meeting School, on the grounds of the
Meeting House, in Pearl Street below Oak from 1815 to 1821. His salary
which at first was $1,200, as time grew harder and harder was made,
successively, $1,000 and $800. Induced to quit the city by bad health, and
perchance by failing income, he opened, in the spring of 1821, a private
boarding-school for boys at Flushing, L. I., which he moved to the village of
Westchester, N.Y., in the autumn of 1827, and continued until 1830. This
undertaking having been prosperous, he abandoned teaching, and established
himself as a farmer in easy circumstances, on a fine farm of 170 acres, now in
the city of Rochester. In the flush times of 1836 he was induced to sell
his farm, and soon after lost all his property. He then became a teacher
in a public school at Rochester. Death and marriage scattered his family,
and the death of his wife in 1846 having broken up his home, he went to
Providence to teach in Friends' Boarding-School, and then to Haverford, as we
have seen. He afterward made his home in Rochester with his son, Dr. E. M.
Moore, and died 8th month 14th, 1871.

Those who have known will lovingly remember this genial gentleman. His
scholars will not soon forget his kindly ways, nor his friendship for Horace
Greeley and the principles of the Free Soil Party, nor the sonorous tones with
which he repeated the verses of Milton and other English poets, although an
amused smile may suffuse their faces when they recollect how he discouraged
their efforts at smoking tobacco, while hiding his own, or when they revert to
some of his eccentric methods, more appropriate to the boarding-school than to
the college. He had a way of affixing to each offence a letter which
designated it as 'n,' for 'negligent,' etc. and at the morning collection would
read out the names of offenders, each with the appropriate letter. One
morning he determined to make an impression on a boy notorious for his laziness,
and called out 'John --- t.,' which was an unfamiliar letter in this vocabulary.
All eyes were, of course, turned upon John, wondering what heinous crime he had
been guilty of, when Friend Moore announced in stentorian tones that 't' stood
for 'tardy,' making it the text for a lecture to the offender which he did not
soon forget. The fact that it was the custom of 'Super,' as the boys
irreverently called him, to wander about the corridors of Founders' Hall after
bedtime, in slippered feet, did not deter the students from many a roguish
escapade, visiting each other's rooms, tying toes to bedposts, and flitting like
sheeted ghosts from place to place between his rounds. On one occasion, he
had sentenced a boy to incarceration, during study hours, in one of the
class-rooms on the first floor, from which there was a descent of, perhaps, ten
feet to the area below. During the morning Friend Moore was walking around
the house, and caught his prisoner in the act of climbing down and attempting to
escape. Confronting the delinquent, he repeated the lines from Virgil--

and required him to perform the more difficult feat of climbing back into the
window. But those incidents only gave spice to Haverford life. And
it perhaps was well that Haverford reopened under the attractive influence of
this fine old man."